KINN’s Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy

Kids in Nature Network’s Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy

About Us

Kids In Nature Network [KINN] is a catalyst for rebuilding the connection between our kids and the natural world. We exist to link up key initiatives that promote nature play in order to enhance children’s well-being and development, promote creative play and facilitate connection to the natural world. We are based in Melbourne, Victoria. We act to empower, connect and grow a movement of individuals and organisations that gets kids back outside. Our network is diverse with leaders from health, education, environment, urban planning, outdoor recreation, community, government, business, arts and many other sectors.

Traditional Owner Acknowledgement: 

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work, learn and play. We thank them for sharing their culture and knowledge through stories, language, art and song. We recognise the important role they have played for thousands of years and continue to play in caring for the land and waterways.  We pay our respects to the Elders past and present, and future leaders. 

Commitment Statement

This Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy demonstrates the strong commitment of management, staff and volunteers to child safety and wellbeing, and how our organisation keeps children safe from harm, including child abuse.

All children who engage in activities associated with Kids in Nature Network have a right to feel and be safe. The welfare of the children will always be our first priority and we have a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse and harm. We aim to create a child safe and child-friendly environment where children feel safe and have fun while connecting with the natural world. 

Purpose

This Policy outlines how Kids in Nature Network prioritises the safety and wellbeing of children and what steps we will take to do this.

Scope

This policy applies to all Management Committee members, contractors, volunteers, children and other individuals involved in our organisation. 

Definitions

Management Committee means the Board Committee including President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and all general members

Child abuse means:

•   a sexual offence committed against a child
•   an offence committed against a child under section 49M(1) of the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), such as grooming
•   physical violence against a child
•   causing serious emotional or psychological harm to a child
•   serious neglect of a child.

Harm is damage to the health, safety or wellbeing of a child or young person, including as a result of child abuse by adults or the conduct of other children. It includes physical, emotional, sexual and psychological harm. Harm can arise from a single act or event and can also be cumulative, that is, arising as a result of a series of acts or events over a period of time.

Child/Children means a person who is under the age of 18 years.

Concerns and complaints

A concern refers to any potential issue that could impact negatively on the safety and wellbeing of children.

A complaint is an expression of dissatisfaction to Kids In Nature Network related to one or more of the following:

•   our services or dealings with individuals
•   allegations of abuse or misconduct by a staff member, a volunteer or another individual associated with Kids in Nature Network
•   disclosures of abuse or harm made by a child or young person
•   the conduct of a child or young person involved with Kids in Nature Network
•   the inadequate handling of a prior concern
•   general concerns about the safety of a group of children or activity.

Role of the Management Committee

The Management Committee has the role of making sure Kids in Nature Network prioritises children’s safety and that action is taken when anyone raises concerns about children’s safety.

The Management Committee will champion and model a child safe culture at Kids in Nature Network. We encourage anyone involved with the organisation to report a child safety concern. The Management Committee will work to create a positive culture around reporting so that people feel comfortable to raise concerns.

Everyone at Kids in Nature Network has a role in identifying and managing risks of child abuse and harm. The Management Committee will make sure that staff and volunteers are conducting risk assessments and taking action to manage risks in accordance with this policy. They will also ensure that appropriate child safety training for staff and volunteers is identified and completed.

The Management Committee will conduct an annual review of how effectively Kids in Nature Network is delivering child safety and wellbeing. The input of people involved with Kids in Nature Network will be sought as part of this review. 

Children’s empowerment and participation

Kids in Nature Network is a child-centred organisation. We actively seek to include children’s views and ideas in our organisational planning, delivery of services including events, professional learning, and community engagement.

We do not tolerate bullying or abusive behaviour .

We respect the rights of children and provide  information about their rights including the right to be safe when engaging with Kids in Nature Network activities. We actively seek to understand what makes children feel safe in our organisation. We provide information for children about what they can do if they feel unsafe.

Kids in Nature Network values the voices of children and will act on safety concerns raised by children or their families. Kids in Nature Network supports children’s participation in the following ways:

• Creating opportunities for families and communities to be involved in how the organisation operates, including encouraging their children’s participation and feedback. 
• Providing clear and accessible information for families and communities about our organisation’s operations and policies, including child safety and wellbeing policy, Code of Conduct, record keeping practices and complaints and investigation processes on our website. 
• Seeking feedback from families and communities on issues of child safety and wellbeing and incorporating this into our policies and practices.
• Engaging with and supporting approaches that build cultural safety through partnerships and respectful relationships. 

Families and communities

Kids in Nature Network recognises the important role of families and involves parents and carers when making significant decisions about their child. Parents, families and communities are welcome to provide feedback at any time through our contact email address and are encouraged to raise any concerns they have with us.

Kids in Nature provides information to families and community about our child safe policies and practices including through:

•   publishing this Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy and Code of Conduct on our website
•   including information about our child safety approach, our operations and Management Committee and management structure, on our website
•   including articles and information on child safety and wellbeing, and reminders about our policies and procedures, in our newsletter.

Creating culturally safe environments for all Aboriginal children and their families

Kids in Nature Network is committed to creating environments where Aboriginal culture is celebrated and Aboriginal children, families and community members are welcomed and included. Strategies to embed cultural safety for Aboriginal children include:

•   an Acknowledgement of Country at all events
•   consulting with families and members of the Aboriginal community to identify opportunities to promote Aboriginal culture and practices associated with Kids in Nature Network
•   providing opportunities for children to share their cultural identity and express their culture, including through involvement at Kids in Nature Network events  
•   supporting children who wish to explore their culture, including consulting with their family and relevant Aboriginal organisations
•   providing training for staff and volunteers on the strengths of Aboriginal culture and its importance to the wellbeing and safety of Aboriginal children 
•   celebrating NAIDOC Week and acknowledging significant events including National Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week

Valuing diversity

We value diversity and equity for all children. To achieve this, we:

•   provide relevant training or equivalent for all Management Committee members, staff and volunteers on understanding diversity and how to support inclusion and cultural safety
•   welcome and support participation of all children, including children with disability, children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those who are unable to live at home, LGBTIQ children and Aboriginal children and their families
•   have zero tolerance of racism and other forms of discrimination and take action when discrimination or exclusion is identified
•   deliver programming that reflects the diversity of children, their interests and cultures
•   strive to reflect the diversity of our community through representation in our staff and Management Committee members 
•   acknowledge and celebrate important cultural dates in our social media
•   have a physical and online environment that actively celebrates diversity
•   commit to ensuring our facilities and online activities promote inclusion of children of all abilities.

Code of Conduct

Kids in Nature Network has a Child Safe Code of Conduct. Staff, volunteers and the Management Committee must comply with the Code of Conduct at all times. Breaches of the Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action including termination of a person’s involvement with the organisation.

All third-party contractors who don’t have their own Child Safe Policy and Code of Conduct are expected to abide by the KINN Child Safe Policy and Code of Conduct, and where they are engaging with children will have to sign an agreement to comply with the code, prior to delivering any services.

Recruiting management committee, contractors and volunteers 

Kids in Nature Network puts child safety and wellbeing at the centre of recruitment and screening processes for staff and volunteers as outlined in the recruitment and screening policy. We only recruit staff and volunteers who are appropriate to engage with children. Members of the Management Committee must also be screened.

We require a Working with Children Check for all management committee members, contractors and volunteers who have a role with children or have access to children’s personal information. We require all committee members, contractors and volunteers to have appropriate qualifications for their roles and check to make sure these qualifications are valid. Supporting staff and volunteers

Kids in Nature Network is committed to ensuring that all committee members, contractors and volunteers receive training to ensure they understand their responsibilities in relation to child safety and to support their engagement with children. Kids in Nature Network incorporates child safety considerations into decision making and to promote a safe environment where children are empowered to speak up about issues that affect them.

All Kids in Nature Network Board Committee members, contractors and volunteers are required to complete child safety training or equivalent. They will receive supervision to support their engagement with children and for compliance with our Code of Conduct and Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy.

Issues or concerns about behaviour with children will be raised immediately and addressed in line with our Code of Conduct, incident handling policy and disciplinary process

Incidents and reporting

All reports of child abuse and child safety concerns will be treated seriously, whether they are made by an adult or a child and whether they are about the conduct of an adult or a child. All complaints and child safety concerns will be responded to promptly and thoroughly.

Kids in Nature Network has an incident handling policy that includes information for staff and volunteers about how a complaint or child safety concern will be responded to. An easy-to-understand complaints information sheet will be provided for children, families and the community to know about the complaint process and the supports available to those making a complaint and those involved in the complaint process.

If a complaint includes an allegation or incident of child abuse or harm, then management committee members, contractors and volunteers at Kids in Nature Network must report it in accordance with the incident handling policy. Kids in Nature Network are required to prioritise children’s safety in any response and to report all potentially criminal conduct to Victoria Police. Under the incident handling and disciplinary process, management committee members, contractors and volunteers may be subject to actions to support child safety including:

•   being stood down during an investigation or terminated following an investigation
•   having their duties altered so they do not engage with children at Kids in Nature Network
•   not allowing unsupervised contact with children at Kids in Nature Network
•   removing their access to the Kids in Nature Network IT system and facilities.

Complaints can be emailed to info@kidsinnaturenetwork.org.au or you can speak with a Child Safety Person.

If there is concern for the immediate safety of a child, immediately call 000.

Record keeping

Kids in Nature Network is committed to making and keeping full and accurate records about all child-related complaints or safety concerns.

All child safety complaints, concerns, incidents and near misses will be recorded in the incident reporting system.

Records which may assist with the investigation of a complaint or safety concern will be identified and kept as part of the record of an investigation. Records will be kept even if an investigation does not substantiate a complaint.

We will record and keep the outcome of any investigations, and the resolution of any complaints. This includes findings made, reasons for decisions and actions taken.

Information sharing

Kids in Nature Network may share relevant information to promote the safety and wellbeing of children, where it is appropriate and in their best interests.  Kids in Nature Network will keep information about complaints confidential, except where it is necessary to share information to respond properly to a complaint or to prioritise child safety. We may also need to share information about incidents or complaints with external authorities to comply with the law or to prioritise safety. More information is available in our complaint handling policy.

Risk management

We recognise the importance of identifying and managing risks of child harm and abuse in the physical and online environments operated by Kids in Nature Network

We conduct regular risk assessments and have a risk management plan to address the risk of child abuse and harm involved with Kids in Nature Network. We will ensure that any risk controls put in place balance the need to manage harm with the benefits of participating in Kids in Nature Network activities. The Management Committee is responsible for approving the risk management plan.

Non-compliance with this policy and the Code of Conduct

Kids in Nature Network will enforce this policy, the Code of Conduct and any other child safety and wellbeing policies (see list below). Potential breaches by anyone will be investigated and may result in restriction of duties, suspension or termination of employment or engagement or other corrective action. More information can be found in our disciplinary process.

Review

Kids in Nature Network will review all child safe practices and policies at least every two years. We also review relevant practices and policies in response to a child safety incident or ‘near miss’. Findings from reviews will be reported to the people involved in our organisation and also inform our approach to continuous improvement of our child safety practices. Reviews are overseen by the Management Committee and will be informed by consultation with children, families and staff.

Supporting documents 

The following policies and procedures work together to support child safety and wellbeing across all of our operations:

•   Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy
•   Code of Conduct
•   Incident report form and handling policy
•   Risk management plan 

Supporting legislation

•   Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (Vic) (including Child Safe Standards)
•   Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (Vic) (including reporting to Child Protection)
•   Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) (including Failure to Protect and Failure to Disclose offences)

Wrongs Act 195

Appendix 

Training for committee members to build knowledge of Child Safe requirements and Children’s Rights 

Child Safe Organisations: eLearning Modules

URL: https://childsafe.humanrights.gov.au/learning-hub/e-learning-modules